ZIP Code Search

How does Google Geocoding function?
How does Geonames function? 

Ive read that you have to have a 'Google Maps API Premier' to handle big commercial userbases. How does that match the Google Geocoding choice?

Does Google geocoding work with ZIP-Code implementation/those that already is part of Boonex dolphin?

I am ready to buy geo zip codes from www.geopostcodes.com - Would those work out with the two options? Or do I have to make adjustement to the boonex code?

Back to basic: can anyone explain to me the zip code / distance search of Boonex as I am about to hire someone to make use of the zip's that i will buy at geopostcodes.com despite that I do not know how this actually works.

Btw: It states in administration area that:

To enable search by ZIP code in profiles search form go to: 
Dolphin admin panel -> Builders -> Profile Fields -> Search Profiles
You need to drag "Country" and "Location" fields at least. Please remove any other location related blocks like "zip code" and/or "city". 

I can't seem to figure this out. Tried but how do I even access this. I have the World Map module installed .

Google base geocoding engine in ZIP Codes search module is working in conjunction with World Map module by BoonEx, it uses already geocoded lat, lng data for profiles positions - so this is the fastest and more precise way of search by zip code and the radius can be potentially unlimited. By default Google offer big number of requests and most probably you can use it for free even for pretty big site.

Geonames based geocoding engine is independent and search profiles by profile's zip code. It is less precise since zip code can be written using different ways and may not match. Additionally free version is limited to 30 km radius.

Hosting own database of zip codes is not efficient - it was such functionality in previous version but it had many disadvantages:

- database load is very high

- installation is difficult, because of large size of uploaded data and different formats

- manual update is needed and it is difficult too

So it is better to rely on trusted 3rd-party service which can do this much better: quicker, without  load on you server, easy installation, the data is always up to date and in most cases it is free. 

Thank you for the answer.

By the way: Am i able to update the  already configured ZIP code database (lat, lng data for profiles positions) that come with the clean installation?

 

To update all profile positions - reinstall World Map module by BoonEx and update it from the scratch from World Map module admin panel.

I am getting this code when clicking on the zip code module....

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_LNUMBER in /home/eliteswi/public_html/modules/boonex/zipcodesearch/classes/BxZIPModule.php on line 6

Anyone help?

Russell

http://www.boonex.com/forums/topic/Zipcode-Radius-Search.htm#222816

Please don't make duplicate posts.